Race 232

[AlisoBob]

September Fury flew like a "Bracket Racer" all week....

473 mph
469 mph
472 mph
473 mph

Does anyone know if Kerch thought 470's was enough to win, of is that all she was capable of this week?

[stuntflyr]

Re: Race 232

I hear that 2900rpm and wide open was all they ever did. If that didn't burn down the Merlins, so be it. Brown wanted to fly it home, and if they fail another engine, he's done racing.

[Lance]

Re: Race 232

I hear that 2900rpm and wide open was all they ever did. If that didn't burn down the Merlins, so be it. Brown wanted to fly it home, and if they fail another engine, he's done racing.

Was that also the reason behind September Pops not bumping up to the Gold on Sunday?

[AlisoBob]

Re: Race 232

Thanks Flyr....

[Mluvara]

Re: Race 232

Was that also the reason behind September Pops not bumping up to the Gold on Sunday?

Racing one airplane is hard enough. Try fielding three and reservicing 911 again for the Gold race. Would have put too much burden on the crew.

[Blue Foam]

Re: Race 232

September Fury flew like a "Bracket Racer" all week....

473 mph
469 mph
472 mph
473 mph

Does anyone know if Kerch thought 470's was enough to win, of is that all she was capable of this week?

I got some third hand info that they had an ignition problem that could not be fixed, but still had enough power to run 470's. Looks like the Merlins were due for their chance to shine.

[Inverted]

Re: Race 232

I am happy the Merlins held up. I am unhappy only 2 made it to the finals. This year the radials were outclassed. I promise you next year will be different as the round boys wont let that happen twice lol.

[Hans Oberev]

Re: Race 232

"If another engine fails on 232 he's done?" I don't beleive that!! He's got the resources to race 3 planes. they all look meticulously maintained. I'll buy the ignition problem story.

I'm puzzuled as to why the Merlins decided to run well this weekend? Mike Barrow and Nixon didn't just wake up and figure out how to make them fast and reliable. Part of the mystery and drama that makes this sport so fun!! I'm an inline guy, like the sporty, sleek look vs. the huge radial frontal area but then again Mike Brown's Sept Fury is beautiful and bad ass looking at the same time! Like the paint job and sleek canopy! Rare Bear did not look as good graphically as the artist rendition on their website. I'm getting over the Rare Bear groupie syndrome. Too many disappointments and the paint job stinks to boot!!

[tjyak50]

Re: Race 232

"I'm puzzuled as to why the Merlins decided to run well this weekend? Mike Barrow and Nixon didn't just wake up and figure out how to make them fast and reliable. \

I suspect 90% of it is luck and timing.
One or two screwed up plugs, coils, or any such small detail makes a HUGE difference.

What a year it was.
I had the best time at Reno this year. Better than the last 10.

TJ

[Inverted]

Re: Race 232

Id up that luck to at least 99%....

Having all the systems in the mustang in line and working reliably is awesome and rare. They require much more management. But boy they sure put on a show.

[Mluvara]

Re: Race 232

"If another engine fails on 232 he's done?" I don't beleive that!! He's got the resources to race 3 planes. they all look meticulously maintained. I'll buy the ignition problem story.

Race prepared 3350's aren't exactly cheap and most owners that I know don't like replacing them every year!

Michael

[Mluvara]

Re: Race 232

Speaking of 232, here's a unique perspective from September Fury during Friday and Saturday's races. These are from the team's cockpit camera.

First one is the start of the race. You can see Dago.

Second one is from the valley of speed.

Bottom three are from Saturday's race.

Some may notice that there are a few parameters on screen. Some on the top right were blanked out for obvious reasons . The top left is the following:

Indicated Airspeed / Ground Speed
G Force

Bottom right is a GPS time stamp.

Enjoy,
Michael

[TomL]

Re: Race 232

Michael, thanks for the pix.
One question, what's on top of Mike's helmet?
Tom

[Mluvara]

Re: Race 232

It's a felt pad to protect the canopy plexiglass from being scratched.

Michael

[MRussell]

Re: Race 232

I'm getting over the Rare Bear groupie syndrome. Too many disappointments and the paint job stinks to boot!!

Groupie comment aside, opinions on the paint job are subjective and lots of us happen to like it.